Condenser



April 30, 1929. F. HODGKINSON 1,110,733

CONDENSER Filed Oct. 30. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet i H II '28 WITNESSES INVENTOR ATTORNEY April 30, 1929. F. HODGKINSON CONDENSER Filed Oct. 30. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet WITNESSES INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS HODGKINSON, F SWARTHMOBE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- -HOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A OORPGKRA'IIGN OF EPEINN'BYL- VANIA.

CONDENSER.

Application filed October 30, 1926. Serial No. 145,263.

My invention relates to cmulcnsers, more particularly of the steam power plant type, and it has for its object to provide apparatus of this character having a condensate collection or hotwell arrangement which shall be efli'ective to promote the separation of noncomlcnsahle media from the condensate.

In the operation of power plant condensers, iuin-comlensable gases are absorbed by the condensate; and, such gases, particularly air and oxygen, may resultin corrosion of parts contacted thereby, it is desirable that such gases shall be removed so far as is possible. To this end, I provide a condensate collection apparatus or hotwell which is divided .into two zones or columns communicating at the bottom, one of the zones or columns constituting an inlet portion for condensate and the other zone or column constituting an outlet portion therefor. Such an arrangement provides an eili'ective water seal between the upper parts of the inlet and discharge portions. The outlet portion is connected to a region of the condel'iser apparatus whose pressure is below that corresponding to the temperature of the condensate, with the result that evaporation and ebullition take place in the outlet portion and dissolvei l, non-condensable gases tend to be lihcratcd. This action of liberation of dissolved is due to the lower pressure existing in the outlet or discharge portion. lrVhile it is old to deacrate feed water, my invention dill'ers from apparatus of this character in that I utilize the condenser and the hotwell, the latter being specially constructed, in order that all. physical phenomena necessary to secure ill-aeration may be supplied by the condensing apparatus itself. In other words, provide condensing apparatus proper which is couippizal with certain novel features of construction permitting of the automatic and continuous removal of IlOIbCUlldUllStllJlU media from the condensate.

A further object of my invention to provide a condenser of the radial-flow type having a hotwell mnstruction divided into an inlet portion for receiving condensate and into an outlet portion having a conduit, which enters the tube nest and terminates well within the latter, this conduit serving to create a pressure in the outletportion which is lower than that corresponding to the condensate temperature with the result that evaporation and ebnllition take place in theoutlet porrt-ion and the resulting vapors and gases pass through the conduit to the interior of the tube nest wl'iere the condcnsable portions of such vapors or gases are condensed and the non-condensable portions thereof go on to the air ofi'take of the condenser proper and are withdrawn. in the ordinary Vay.

T hose and other objects are etl'ectod by my invention, as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which Fig. l is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section showing a condenser of the radial flow type having my invention ap plied thereto;

Fig. 2 a sectional view taken along the line II-II of Fi 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 a fragmentary transverse sectional view of apparatusshown in Fi 1;

Fig. at is a fragmentary section. View showing a modified feature of construction employed with apparatus of the character illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional wiew, similar to Fig. 3, but showing a different type of air removal apparatus;

Fig. (8 is a.fragmentary sectional view showing a. further modified form of air removal apparatus; i

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing an adjustable air ofi'take; and

8 and 9 are fragmentary sectional views showing the application of my invention to a condenser of the down flow type.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail for a better understanding of my in vention. in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I show a condenser of the radial flow type having a shell the shell anclextending upwardlyand radial-- ly in substantially parallel relation fora suitable distance and then approaching or converging, as indicated at 19, toprovide an outlet opening or port farthe egress of air and non-condensable gases from the corn denser. A deflector or rain-plate construction 21 is arranged above the o1 iening or port to prevent the entry of condensate thereinto. This arrangement of oft-take structure in general is well-know1i and a further description thereof unnecessary, and it has been specifically referred. to only to the extent of laying a :touiulation tor coacting structure presently to he described.

The waiter box structure 14 is of special form, as may be seen trom Figs. 1 and 2, in that it incorporates an inner circular partition 2? having downward extending parallel portions .Zet which deline a passage communicating with the inlet 16. The wall or partition portions Ell are arranged in substantial alignment with the lower portions of the partitions 18 already referred to.

The partition Utmt-ttl[1011011, including the nirts oil and 24-, divides the cceentrically disposed tube nest of the condenser into a firstpass portion 2t and a scconchpass portion 27,

"the tubes arrangetil in the passageway 25 being in the tirstpass.

The water box construction 15 at the other end of the condenser provides for the return flow of cooling; water in the ordinary way, such water passing through the second-pass 27. entering the outlet water box space 28. and being discharged from the outlet 17 A hotwell or condensate collection chamber is connected to the bottom of the condenser shell in the ordinary *ay and partitions 31 are arranged within the chamber 30, these partitions being preferably connected to the bottom of the shell and being spaced from the bottom wal. 32 of the chamber 30. The partitions 31. divide the chamber into bottom communiratingr columns or zones 33 and 34. the columns or zones 33 communicating with the interior ot the shell 10 by way oil suitable openings 35 disposed slightly beyond the vertical partitjitms 18, so that coinlmisate may pass from the shell to such inlet portions, zones. 0 r colun'ms ot the hotwell cmlstruction, and the outlet zone column or portion 3-1 helug connected by a conduit 36, therefore provides tor the connection of the outlet col umn, zone or portion 31- to a region of the condenser where pressure 'nerails i'iorinall lower than that correspon din o to the ternperatiu'e of the condensate, with the result that evaporation takes place in the outlet portion and the separation of dissolved 11011-tf )ll(l0l1-lll)l(\ gases is facilitated vapors and noncorulensable gases passing through the conduit 36 to the interior oil. the condenser.

Under the conditions set forth, the pressure in the inlet portion of the zone 33 willbe somewhat higher than that in the outlet portion 341;, in d, therefore. the level of condensate in the outlet portion 3-1 will be higher than that in the inlet portion or zone A condensate outlet 37 communicates with the outlet zone of portions Ell at a suitable elevation and it is connected to any suitable condensate removal apparatus not shown).

lViith the arrangement shown in l ius. l. 2 and 3, the conduit 36 enters the space lwtwceu the partitions 18, tubes of the first-pass 2U being, disposed laterally thereof as well as above its upper end, such tubes serving to condense condensable vapors discharged from the conduit 36 as well as to cool the noncondensahle gal-see discharged thereby.

Condensate forming between the part itions 18 passes through a drain I38 meter-ably having a U-sha nzd or sealing port ion Z3!) connected to the bottom of the hotwell 3t).

One or more air outlets ll have their inletends 12 arranged slightly above the bottom of the shell so as to zir'oid the entry ol eondensate thereinto. Any suitable air removal apparatus commonly used in the art for this purpose may be connected to the air out lets ll.

From the lt'ii'tg tiiiig; description, the operation ot apparatus made in accordzuue with Figs. 1. and 3 will be apparent, the purpose being to secure evapoiation or ebullition oi? condensate in the hotwell construction by the novel a.rrang'ements reterred to, this result heing; securcd by having the hotwell :lornied as a water seal construction, the inlet ptn'l ion 323 of which receives condensate from the shell and the outlet portion Ell of which is con nec'twl to a, region of the condenser having a pressure normally lower than that correspondint, to the condensate temperature. thus resultin in ewiporatiou and ebullition oi condensate in the outlet portion. The rate or extent ot eva| )oration, and therefore the removal of dissolved non-condensable gases, may be controlled by changing the area ol' the outlet portion Ell. Variation in the tutessure drop lroin the outlet portion 3i to the exit end of the conduit 36 also serves to control ehullition in the portion 3-1-l. llouce this etl'ect may be secured by choosing a conduit ll) o i' suitable bore. Variation in the height oi the conduit 36 also has its etlect, that is, shortening oi such conduit brings the exit end thereof to regions of successively lower pressures, lhcreby tending to increase ebullition.

In addition to the ways just rctcrred to for controllin ebullition in the outlet portion or zone 3%1- oi: the hotwell, I may employ adjustable valve means for this purpose, such a construction being shown in Iliu'. l, wherein an adjustable valve 43 extends through the bottom 32 of the hotwell and cooperates with the lower end of the conduit 36 in order that the pressure in the outlet portion 31 may be controlled.

In Fig. 5, I show my invention applied to a radial flow condenser having: a dill crent tvpe of oil'talre structure. not, p ions are not employed. but, on the cont try, an air and non-condensahle gas olltake pipe or tube till lllt) lltl all having inlets is disposed centrally of the first-pass so of the tube nest. The conduit 36, for lowering the pressure in the outlet portion or zone Iii-1t of the hotwell construction and so producing ebullition, enters directly into the tube nest, this conduit preferably passing through the tubes of the seeond-pass :27 and into the tubes of the first-pass 26, and having its upper end terminating in the vi.- cinity of the air otl'take. I may arrange to vary the height of the conduit 36, andso vary the pressure in the outlet portion 34, for the nearer the upper end of the conduit 36 up preaches the air otltake ill the lower is the pressure of the region it reaches and consetpiently the lower will be the pressure result ing in the outletportion ill. The converse is true. The desired pressure in the outlet pon Lion may be changed in other ways already described.

In Fig. 6, I show a further modified form of my invention applied to a condenser ot' the radial flow type. In this view, the bottom of the condenser shell 10 has connected thereto vertical plates 46 defining an air o'tltakc space liavin an entrance -18 above which disposed at deflector 49. The space at? is a tree. past-la e tor the discharge of noncondensable gt and vapors, this space being connected to suit:- able outlets 50 connected to any suitable air removal apparatus. The hotwell is similar in structure to that shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5. Here. however, the conduit 36 is arranged externally ot.' the partitions 46, passing up between the tubes of the nest, but acting for the purposes already specifically set forth.

In Fig. 7, I show further means for controlling the pressure in the outlet portion S-l by securing, adjustment of the conduit 36. To this end, the conduit 36" has a slidable tit through a suitable opening provided in the bottom of the shell and such conduit has connected to its lower end a rack 52, which meshes with the pinion 53 connected to a shaft 5- which extends exteriorly of the hotwell 30 and has any suitable opera-ting means connected thereto.

In Figs. 8 and 9, I show the apllication ol my invention to condensers of the down [low type. In Fig. 8, the shell 55 has an air and mnrcondensable otl'take 56 arranged in the ordinary way, the otltalte 56 connnunieating with a space 57 between the shell 55 and a plate 58 of conventional construction and, containing any suitable number of cooling tubes. At its bottom. the shell 55 is provided with an opening 59 leading to the center or inlet portion 60 of the hotwell construction 61,, the inlet portion 60 being sepa rated from the outlet portion or zone 62 by the partition means 63, the latter terminating at a suitable distance above the bottom of the hottwell. The necessary lower pressure in the outlet portion 62 to'seeure evaporation and ehullition ot' condensate is secured by having a conduit connection til connected to any suitable air removal apparatus; and, while I have shown the coiiduit ti l connected to the conduit 56 leading to an air ejector '65, the latter discharging into an after-concondensable medium lead by condensate outlet (38 to any suitable power plant apparatus in a nianner well known in the art. The

'conduit 64 may contain a suitable valve 69 in order that a desired pressure may be ob tained in the outlet portion or zone 62 and the evaporator controlled. An outlet 70 communicates with the outlet zone 62 and it is connected to any suitable condensate removal apparatus of a well known type. f

In principle. the operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 8 is generally similar to that already described, low pressure being secured in the discharge or outlet zone of the hotwell construction by the connection of such zone to the air removal apparatus instead of to a portion of the condenser of lower pressure. The tubes arranged in the space 57 offer resistance to the passage of air and noncondcnsable vapors and, therefore, result in a pressure drop from the inlet of space 57 to the outlet 56. Hence, the conduit 64: is connected to the conduit 56 or a region where a pressure prevails which is less than that corresponding to the condensate temperature.

In Fig. 9, I show a further application of my invention to a condenser ol the down llow type wherein the outlet portion orzone 62 has its pressure lowered in a ditferent way. In this view, I show a conduit 71 connected to the outlet portion or zone 62 at one end and having its other end connected to the portion of the air and non-condensable vapor or cooling space 57 adjacent to the otl'talte 56. The tubes in this space ofler resistance between the entrance 72 andt-he region of the discharge end 73 of the conduit 71, with the result that the pressure at the region of the discharge end 73 will be pcrceptibly less than at the entrance 72; and. therefore, the outlet portion 62 will be subjected to a pressure less than that corresponding to the temperature ot the condensate and boiling and ehullition will take place in the manner already referred to, the resulting vapors and gases passing through the conduit 71 and being discharged into the space 57. In view of the fact that the exit end 73 ot' the conduit 71 discharges into the space 57 and that cooling tubes are arranged in the vicinity of and above the discharge end, condensation of con llli densahlc vapors passingthrough the conduit 71 will talce place, the condensate passing hack to the ,lifitWEll through the opening 59.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have devised a condenser of conventional type and appearance which incorporates certain additional features oil. construction and improvements in order that physical phenomena normally obtaining in a condenser may he availed of for the purpose of securing removal oit non-condensahle gases dissolved in the condensate, this el'lcct being secured hy dividing the condensate into two portions connected by a hydraulic seal, one portion lining, aul iected to a pressure corres1'Jonding :IPJLHIOXllllfttCly to the teuiperature of the steam the condensate outlet and the other portion lacing subjected to a pressure lower than that corresponding to the condensate temperature with the result that the condensate in such other portion will boil and dissolved cases will. separate. is ch ar acteristic cit-my invention that my process ot removing: dissolved gar-ins from condensate is carried out Within the condenser structure; and, by condenser structure, I mean a condenser and its associated hotivcll.

lVhilo I have shown my invention in several towns, it will he ohvions to those skilled. in the art that it not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modification Without departing om the spirit thcreoit, and I desire, theretore, that only such limitations shall he placed thereupon as are imposed by the pri art or as are specifically s it forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. In a condenser having a shell and air and non-condensahle gas witlulraival niieans, the coml'iination oi? a hotivell formed to pro vide a water seal. having inlet and discharge portions, means providing for the admission of condeu.:ate from the shell to said inlet portion, means for connecting the discharge portion to a region of the condenser wherein a, pressure preiciils lower than that corresponding; to the condensate temperature, cooling; means being interposed l'iet'wcen, the discharge end of the last named means and air withljlrawal means, and means for withdrawi condensate 'l lfOlll said discharge portion.

2. In a conde1u=:er lrarvinn a shell and. air andv non-condmisahle ,q'as \vitlulrawal means, ancst ottnhes within. the shell, a hot parti tion means Within the hotwell :tor dividinn the latter into lateral and intermediate hottom communicating sections, said shell having openings in the bottom portion thereotior admitting: condensate to the lateral sections, means for venting: gaseous media from the intermediate section to a region within the tuhenest adjacent to the air and non-condensahle gas Withdrawal means Will-317B a pressure prevails less than that eorresponding to the condensate tcn'iperature, and means for \vitlulrawing condensate from the intermediate section.

3. In a condenser of the radial flow type having a nest of tubes, the coxnhination ot a hotwell formed to provide a Water seal hav' incinlet and discharge portions, means pro viding for the admission of condensate to said inletportion, and means for venting ,egascoui-i media from said discharge portion to a region within the tube nest of the con denser.

4-. In a condenscrot the radi: l flow type, having a shell and a nest oil? tuhes, the coinhination ot a hotwcll formed to provide a water seal having inlet and discharge portions, said shell having an openiine, to provide for the passage of condensate there- 'troiu to said inlet portion, and a conduit connected to said out-let portion and terminating 'Wlillll'l the tube nest for venting gas: cous media from the discharge portion to the tuhe nest.

5. in a condenser oil the radial flow type having: a shell, a. tube. nest, and an air and non-cinulemahle gas otltalie disposed within the tuhe nest, the combination of a hotivell ternugid to provide a Water seal lniving inlet and discharge portions. said shell. having ineans providing for the passage of condcnsate therefrom to said inlet portion, and a coinluit connected to the top of said discharge po t ion and terminating Within the tuhe nest arent to said air and non-condor]sahlo gas withdrawal means for venting gaseous media from the discharge portion to the tube nest.

6. In a condenser having a shell, a nestof. tnhcs, and air witl'idrawal means, the co1ubination at a hotwell formed to provide a Water seal having inlet and discharge portions, said shell having means for admitting condensate to said inlet portion, means for connecting; the top (it said discharge portion to a region \vi thin the tuhc nest "for venting gaseous media from said discharge portion to the tnhe nest, said-last-n'ientioned means having (ooh inc, tuhes interposed between the discharge terminus thereof and the air oii tako, and means for withdrawing condensate from the discharge portion.

7. In a condenser of the radial. flow type having: a shell and a nest of: tubes. the comliination ot a pair of partitions extending up *ardly from the bottom of the shell and torn'iinating Within the tube nest to form an air and non-condensahlc gas otltalte space, air and non-condcnsahle one outlet means comm imicatiug with said space, a hotivell itorn'ied to provide a water seal having inlet and. discharge portions, said shell having means for admitting condensate to said inlet portion, a conduit connected to said discharge portion, ex eudine upwardly hetvseen said partitions and terminating intermediate the height of the latter, said tube nest including tubes arranged between said partitions, means providing :tor the passage of cooling medium first through the tubes between the partitions and the tubes constituting the central core of the nest and then through the outermost tubes, drainage means connecting the bottom ot the space between the partitions to the hotwcll, and means for withdrawing condensate from said discharge portion.

8. In a condenser ot the radial flow type having a shell, the combination of a central group of first-pass tubes, second-pass tubes surrounding the first-pass tubes, partition members connected to the bottom of the shell, extetnling radially through the second-pass tube zone and terminating within the firstp: is tube zone, a hotwell formed to provide a water seal having inlet and discharge portions. said shell having means for admitting condensate therefrom to said inlet portion, a conduit connected to said discharge portion and terminating intermediate the height of the partitions, and discharge means for condensate connected to said discharge portion.

9. In a condenser having a shell, the combination of a pair of partition members connected to the bottom of the shell and affording an air and non-condensable gas otitalce space, first-pass tubes forming a nest core arranged cxteriorly of the partitions and arranged between the partitions, second-pass tubes surrounding said first-pass core tubes, a hotwell formed to provide a water seal hav- :ing inlet and discharge portions, said shell having means for discharging condensate into said inlet portion, means for connecting said discharge portion to the space between said partitions intermediate the height thereof, drainage means connected to the bottom of said space between said partitions and to said hotwell, air withdrawal means having its inlet arranged above the inlet of the drainage means, and means providing for the discharge of condensate from said discharge portion.

10. In a condenser having a shell and a nest of tubes therein surrounding the air and non-condensable gas ofli'take, the combination of a hotivell formed to provide a water seal having inlet and discharge portions, said shell having means for discharging condensate therefrom to said inlet portion, means for affording communication between the discharge portion and a region within the tube nest. and means whereby the pressure resulting due to the action of the last-named means may be varied.

11. A surface condenser comprising a shell having an inlet and an air removal connection, heat transfer tubes disposed within theshell for condensing gaseous media, means defining a passage from said heat transfer tubes to said air removal connection, other heat transfer tubes disposed in said passage for cooling air and other non-condensable gases, a hotwell formed to provide a water seal having inletand discharge portions, means providing for the admission of condensate from the shell to said inlet portion, and means for venting gaseous media from said discharge portion to said passage at a point adjacent said air removal connection.

12. A surface condenser raunprising a shell having an inlet and an airremoval connection, a nest 0t heat transfer tubes disposed within the shell, means providing a passage from substantially the central portion of said nest to said air removal connection for conducting air and other non-comlensablc gases to said connection, a hotwrll formed to provide a liquid seal having inlet and d iseharge portions, means providing for the admission of condensate from the shell to said inlet portion, and means for venting gaseous media from said discharge portion to a point within the nest of tubes and adjacent the inlet of said passage.

1-3. A surface condenser comprising a shell having an inlet, a nest of heat transfer tubes disposed within the shell, means for directing cooling media through the tubes in a plurality of passes, a hotu'ell formed to provide a water seal having inlet and discharge portions, means providing for the admission of condensate from the shell to said inlet portion, and means for Wanting gaseous media from said discharge portion to a region within the tubes of the first of said plurality of passes.

14. A surface condenser comprising a shell having an inlet and an air removal connection, a nest of heat transfer tubes disposed within the shell, means r'or supplying difi'erent groups of the tubes with circulating media of difierent temperatures, means providing a passage within the shell and about some of the tubes supplied with circulating media of the lower of said different temperatures to the air removal connections, a hotwell formed to provide a liquid seal having inlet and discharge portions, and means for venting gaseous media from the discharge portion to said passage at a point adjacent the inlet thereof.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto suln scribed my name this eighth day of October, 1926.

FRANCIS HODGKINSON. 

